Western Michigan University’s men’s basketball team suffered its second straight loss, both on the road this week, in an 85-63 decision to Illinois State Saturday night in Normal, Ill.

Similar to Tuesday’s 73-41 defeat at No. 3 Michigan, the Broncos (6-3) saw their opponent finish with a flurry en route to a lopsided loss.

WMU will be on the road for its next two games, traveling to High Point (N.C.) for a Sunday, Dec. 16 game. The Broncos beat High Point at University Arena, 54-53, on Nov. 29. They visit Duquesne, located in Pittsburgh, on Dec. 19 before returning for a home game against Mount St. Mary’s on Dec. 22.

Saturday night, WMU trailed by nine, 66-57, with 6:43 left, but the Redbirds (6-3) closed out the game with a 19-6 scoring advantage. Tuesday in Ann Arbor, the Broncos were outscored 22-2 during an eight-minute span late in the contest as their deficit quickly went from 17 to 37.

Forward Jackie Carmichael, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound senior, led Illinois State with 24 points, seven rebounds and six blocks. John Wilkins had 16 points for the Redbirds, while leading scorer Tyler Brown (entered with 20 ppg) added 13. Illinois State shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61), including 9-for-21 (42.9 percent) from 3-point land.

WMU outrebounded Illinois State, 41-35.

The Broncos had won six straight entering the week. The Redbirds snapped a three-game skid with Saturday's victory.